School Allows Prayer Over the Intercom

From Raw Story: 

A school board in Kansas voted this week to allow student-led prayer at all activities, and even went as far as offering the schools’ public address systems for religious use.

According to the Leader and Times, school prayer had not been on the agenda for Monday’s meeting of USD No. 480 board in Liberal, but board member Nick Hatcher brought it up at the last minute.

Liberal High School had banned prayer before football games several years ago over concerns that allowing to students to pray over the intercom system could be construed as the school sponsoring a particular religion, which was banned by the Supreme Court in 1962.

In its 2000 Santa Fe Independent School Dist. v. Doe decision, the Supreme Court specifically ruled that allowing students to use the public address system to pray at football games violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Kansas Schools With Guns Will Lose Insurance Coverage

From USA Today: 

A new Kansas law allowing gun owners to carry weapons in public buildings, including schools, has thrust a major Des Moines-based insurer into the national gun control debate. 

The EMC Insurance Cos. insures 85 percent to 90 percent of all Kansas school districts and has refused to renew coverage for schools that permit teachers and custodians to carry concealed firearms on their campuses under the new law, which took effect July 1. It's not a political decision, but a financial one based on the riskier climate it estimates would be created, the insurer said. 

"We've been writing school business for almost 40 years, and one of the underwriting guidelines we follow for schools is that any on-site armed security should be provided by uniformed, qualified law enforcement officers," said Mick Lovell, EMC's vice president for business development. "Our guidelines have not recently changed."

The Wrap-Up: June 13, 2012

Here's a shocker: Tony Perkins (president of the so-called Family Research Council) doesn't get Gay Pride Month.

As if voter purges in Texas and Florida were not enough, a Tea Party group is suing several other states in order to get them to perform even more.

The Kansas legislature had a bit of a redistricting problem over the weekend.

If you want to join the NYPD, it is probably not a good idea to put your prejudice on parade.

Another fraudulent study paid for by homophobic conservatives on same-sex parenting is, unfortunately, making the rounds.

What happens when the United States Secretary of Commerce has a seizure resulting in two car crashes? Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) takes the time and opportunity to mock him instead of being concerned for his health. What a southern gentleman. Also unsurprisingly, this he did so on a radio show run by a "Christian" organization, the so-called American Family Association.

Connor Barwin, outside linebacker for the Houston Texans talked to Outsports about the NFL's potential acceptance of an openly gay player (as well as discussing his gay brother). With all this talk about this subject lately, you would think someone was about to take that leap.

A Minnesota priest is urging people (yes, also Catholics) to vote against the state's proposed anti-marriage equality amendment. It's nice to see some of these folks defying conventional wisdom.

And lastly, in case you have not seen a photo making the rounds, here is a picture of two Israeli soldiers.

The Wrap-Up: May 28, 2012

Bedford County, Virginia

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!! While you're out grilling and enjoying the day off, take some time to remember what this holiday is truly about.

The House Republican's Summer wish list read like a how to of taking the country back into recession.

A ballooning Hispanic population may turn North Carolina into a long term swing state.

Perhaps all is not lost with the Republican party as at least GOP candidates are refusing to sign "the pledge." Grover Norquist can't be happy about this, which means it must be a good thing.

When it comes to voting and voting rights, it's all but official that Florida is the worst state in the country.

Monument Terrace in Lynchburg, Virgina

Kansas is the latest state to freak out over the non-existent Sharia Law threat.

In the past two weeks, over 300,000 people have thanked President Barack Obama for his public support marriage equality. I wonder if the opposition even bothered trying a counter petition this time (like their Starbucks failure).

Governor Scott Walker's (R-WI) recall opponent, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D), took him to task on a number of issues face-to-face.

And lastly, after saying he had never been to the home of a same-sex married couple in a resent interview, Tony Perkins has been offered an invitation. A response is pending (which I can't wait to hear about).

The Wrap-Up: January 24, 2012

Despite Newt Gingrich's lead in Florida polls, Mitt Romney may have gotten some early help.

Here are the worst anti-gay moments of last week, which I'm sure took some time to whittle down.

If only the American people could afford to buy politicians like the Koch brothers can.

Tennessee's Tea Party wants to practice revisionist history. On the chopping block: slavery references in text books.

If you're going to get rid of outdated laws, you would think that getting rid of a law thrown down by the Supreme Court would qualify...unless you're a Kansas Republican of course.

There is a lot of proof out there that when it comes to same-sex couples parenting, Rick Santorum knows less than nothing.

With a State of the Union address taking place tonight, we should all be aware ahead of time the difference between lofty rhetoric and actual governance.

Are the higher-ups in the Republican party afraid of having Gingrich at the top of their ticket.

Even though Republicans nationally are very much against marriage equality, a GOP senator in the Washington legislator understands the topic at hand.

Speaking of marriage equality in Washington state, there are now enough votes in both houses for the measure to pass.

And lastly, today will see the introduction of a marriage equality measure into the legislature of Maryland.

The Wrap-Up: November 29, 2011

The Supreme Court

Kansas state law has apparently been ignoring the Supreme Court of the United States.

The LGBT community's engagement in the political process, especially now, is extremely important, and here is the Supreme reason why.

The Supreme Court also handed my home state's Attorney General some bad news on health care (which makes me quite happy).

A United Airlines agent made the skies not-so-friendly for this gay couple. 

While much of the African continent is embroiled in extreme homophobia, there are some people there still willing to put their lives on the line to fight the good fight.

Meghan & John McCain

Meghan's new gig may be causing a little tension in the McCain family.

I'm pretty sure this is the death-knell for whatever chances Herman Cain had for winning the GOP nomination (and they were already quite small).

According to this billionaire, asking the super-rich to pay their fair share is akin to Hitler invading Poland. How have people not learned to leave Hitler out of political discussions?

Contrary to what most of the GOP presidential candidates are saying, Barney Frank did not create the housing bubble (which was a more global phenomenon).

Speaking of Barney Frank, in the announcement of his retirement, he took a few shots at Newt Gingrich.

Scott Olsen

Scott Olsen, the Iraq veteran who was injured in Occupy Oakland has done his first interview since his injury.

A New Jersey legislator has done quite a 180 on the state's effort to recognize marriage equality.

And lastly, Jon Stewart takes down Herman Cain and Rick Perry as only Jon Stewart can.

The Wrap-Up: November 28, 2011

Marine Commandant James Amos

Contrary to what we are led to believe, America does not have the best health care system in the world.

In further evidence that the bullying epidemic must be quashed...

Even the most vocal military critic of repealing DADT has said that things have been going smoothly since the policy change.

It seems as though Tim Tebow is cheating on his wife...with Jesus.

Smartphones may not be so great soon for people who value their privacy.

A GOP attempt to block Texas' redistricting plan has been thwarted.

Rep. Barney Frank

This is an important (and totally true) quote from an Elizabeth Warren video that surfaced some weeks ago.

Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) announced today that he will not be running for reelection in 2012.

Even the most religious of people can have their minds and hearts changed.

Marriage equality will be a particularly hot topic in Australia this coming weekend.

Nick Novak (K - San Diego Chargers)

A Nebraska teen is attempting to put marriage equality on the state's ballot for 2012.

In neighboring Kansas, the teen who tweeted something not so nice (yet rightly deserved) about that state's governor is standing her ground...

Which seems to have worked as now, it is the Governor who has issued an apology.

And lastly, there was this unfortunate incident at yesterday's Chargers vs. Broncos game (besides the Broncos winning that is). Hilarious, but I feel really bad for the guy all the same.